(490e) EMMS-Dpm: Coarse-Grained Discrete Particle Simulation for Engineering

Chemical industry routinely deals with particulate materials in large quantities. They may present solid particles alone, or embedded in a fluid environment. However, due to the computational cost, we usually treat them as continuum for engineering simulation, and discrete particle models are mostly used as an exploration tool for academic and theoretical purpose. With the requirement for more precise design, optimization and control of the processes to reshape a greener, more efficient and sustainable chemical industry, the limitations of continuum models are becoming apparent, and the advantages of discrete simulations are more and more attractive. Engineering applications of discrete simulation are at the eve of burst development.

In this presentation, we will analyze this looming trend and introduce the coarse-grained discrete particle model, EMMS-DPM, for potential applications in industries and engineering. The model is based on the statistical properties of granular flow with key parameters determined by the energy-minimization multi-scale (EMMS) model. We will cover the spectrum of modeling, numerical methods, algorithms, software implementation and even hardware-software co-designing. The importance of a consistent development among these aspects will be emphasized, and typical application scenarios will be introduced such as fluidization, transportation, stirred tanks, etc. We conclude that discrete particle simulation will be a mainstream simulation approach in chemical engineering in near future.